Dangers and Benefits of Viagra
Mens Health > Dangers and Benefits of Viagra
Viagra is a drug that treats male erectile dysfunction (impotence). Some reports also claim that it enhances sexual pleasure for women by increasing blood flow to the sexual organs. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer produces this drug. Viagra pills are blue in color with the words "Pfizer" on one side and "VGR xx" on the other.
Researchers originally developed Viagra to treat heart disease (angina). They noticed penile erection enhancing effects in the initial trials. It prompted them to market it as a drug to enhance or restore sexual drive.
Viagra became the first pill for treating erectile dysfunction in the United States after it got approval from the FDA on March 27, 1998. However, manufacturers had already patented it in 1996. It received instant popularity among men in the United States and elsewhere, who were in sheer frustration because of erectile dysfunction.
Viagra increases the levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the corpus cavernosum of the body. It leads to increase in blood inflow and better erection. However, it will not cause an erection if there is no sexual desire and no activation of the Nitric Oxide/cGMP system at all.
Hepatic enzymes metabolize Viagra and both the liver and kidneys excrete it. There may be a delay in its absorption if one takes it with a high fat meal. It may slightly mute the net effect, as the plasma concentration will come down.
There are a number of serious side effects of using Viagra. Those include sudden death, stroke, severe hypotension, myocardial infarction, increase in intraocular pressure priapism, ventricular arrhythmias etc. Besides these serious side effects, there may be some common light-intensity side effects as well. These symptoms are- headaches, prolonged erections, dyspepsia, flushing, palpitations and photophobia. One may also experience blurring of vision.
These days, Viagra is easily available through numerous sites on the Internet. Manufacturers advertise it directly to consumers on TV. However, it is always safer to get it only on a recommendation by a doctor.